Madinat Jumeirah welcomes the 12th Dubai International Film Festival

Published on : Thursday, December 10, 2015

Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai, is gearing up for the return of yet another blockbuster edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) which draws actors, directors, writers, producers and industry experts from all corners of the globe to Dubai each year.

Madinat Jumeirah has been DIFF’s proud host for the last 12 years. This latest edition takes place from 9–16 December 2015 and will end the wait for thousands of movie buffs who can enjoy a packed programme of over 120 features, short films and documentaries. Shining a light on the cinematic brilliance of both established and fresh new talent from the region and beyond, DIFF will also pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg’s film ‘Jaws.’

Over 1,500 guests attended the festival’s red carpet launch party at the resort’s newly expanded Fort Island. Cinema lovers are invited to the resort’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art screening venues at Madinat Arena and Madinat Theatre to watch the latest movies during Red Carpet Galas and special screenings. As a special treat, Madinat Theatre will host an ‘In Conversation with Jake Gyllenhaal’ session for fans on 16 December from 6-7pm.

The programme at Madinat Arena kicks off on 9 December with a Red Carpet Opening Gala screening of the drama film ‘Room.’ ‘Zinzana’ by Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari will be the opening movie on 10 December and the UAE premiere of the action-adventure animation ‘Bilal’ will close the day. The programme on 11 December begins with the Children’s Red Carpet Gala for Steve Martino’s ‘The Peanuts Movie’ followed by the dramatic thriller ‘Concussion’ and will conclude with the Chinese drama ‘Mountain Cry.’

Three Red Carpet Gala screenings will take place on 12 December starting with ‘Valley of Knights: Mira’s Magical Christmas,’ followed by ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ and ‘The Clan’. The programme on 13 December gets underway with ‘1001 Inventions and Halal Love’ and ends with the comedy drama ‘Family Fang.’ ‘The Daughter’ will have a Red Carpet Opening Gala on 14 December followed by ‘Spotlight.’ On 15 December, the evening opens with the Red Carpet Gala for ‘Last Cab to Darwin’ followed by ‘Truth.’ Finally, on 16 December, Madinat Arena will screen the Middle East premiere and Red Carpet Gala for ‘The Big Short.’

Madinat Theatre will raise the curtain on its programme on 10 December with a Red Carpet Opening Gala screening of ‘Before the Summer Crowds’ followed by ‘Room.’ The schedule for 11 December opens with ‘Rainbow’ followed by ‘Desierto’ and ‘Let Them Come’ and the drama film ‘Waiting’ will close the day. The screenings on 12 December kick off with ‘The Assassin’ followed by the Red Carpet Gala for ‘Going to Heaven’ and will conclude with ‘Nawara.’ ‘Suffragette’ will be the first movie to be showcased on 13 December followed by ‘3000 Nights’ on 13 December. The ‘Tainted Veil’ and ‘Beeba Boys’ will round off the screening schedule at Madinat Arena on 14 December.